Friends, are you pinching yourself? It’s a mini-miracle that this Thankful Thursday 02.2020 post is actually coming to you on a Thursday. Crazy, I know! Always happy to link up promptly with Rebecca Jo for her gratitude series but sometimes LIFE has other ideas despite my best intentions.
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THANKFUL THURSDAY 02.2020
As is the case every month, February has had its share of highs and lows. Here are some of the things I gave gratitude for in my “Good Days Start With Gratitude” journal…or in my case, end with gratitude. I always complete my gratitude journal before going to sleep.
This month I was particularly grateful for:
- my mom for always being there for me
- Paul being such a good provider
- possibility (and then reality) of *S*N*O*W*
- ❄️SNOW❄️
- Tamiflu
- Cheyene Rincones, my primary care physician’s assistant
- Kevin getting mom to the ER
- diagnosis for mom (stroke); knowledge is power
- beautiful snowscapes
- snuggles with all my El Paso babies, big and little
- PC asking if I need to fly to be with my mom
- Valerie flying up to KY to care for mom
- pickleball orientation
- sweet phone call from my MIL May
- my brother on his birthday
- church
- therapy is being offered (free) to mom -occupational, physical and speech
- good workout
- mom fell but didn’t get badly hurt
- facial
- new blog readers (and old, faithful blog readers!!) – YOU
- clean house
- Alan Jackson concert, yeah, BABY
- survived 4th grade sub job
- fresh mani
- soak in the hot tub
Mom
Along about the first week of the month, my mom began feeling ‘funny’ but couldn’t really put her finger on what was wrong. My brother took her to the urgent care clinic and they couldn’t find anything. The next day, Mom was frantic about not feeling well. And had begun talking nonsensically. Unable to complete sentences. Calling my brother by my father’s name. Thinking she was in Missouri where she lived as a child. We thought she was either having a stroke or some kind of nervous breakdown, psychiatric issue. Kevin took Mom to the ER at the only hospital in Lexington with a psychiatric department.
They conducted a CT scan and found no indication of a stroke so sent my mom home again. But she continued to be terribly confused about things. And she had begun saying she couldn’t see well.
I was able to get my mom in to see her retina specialists so my brother, bless his heart, packed Mom up took her for an eye exam. She has pretty severe macular degeneration but nothing had changed since her last visit to the specialist. At her appointment, though, Mom was more confused than ever. In a quick 3-way call between my brother, sister and me, it was decided Mom needed to go back to the ER. This time at the hospital where she is usually seen.
MRI Confirmation
An MRI confirmed that Mom had had a stroke. A left sided cerebral hemisphere cerebrovascular accident, so deep in her brain that the CT scan had not picked it up. My sister was able to drop everything and go to Lexington to help with Mom. She was released after several days in the hospital and qualifies for 3 types of therapy: occupational, physical and speech. Her most noticeable difficulty seems to be in speaking. She cannot remember the names of things or people. And seems to have lost some of her short- or mid-term memory.
We were initially hopeful that Mom would regain her speaking and thinking faculties but I am feeling less optimistic now. It breaks my heart to try to talk with her on the phone. I am never sure she knows who I am. And struggles to tell me simple things like what she ate for dinner or who she ate with. She tried to tell me she was going to watch the Democratic debate but what she was saying sounded more like she was talking about an NCAA basketball game.
Last night, I cried in the dark after PC had fallen asleep because I feel like we have lost our mom. She has always been so bright, so ‘with it,’ so aware of what’s going on in the world, very cognizant of what is going on around her, but now she struggles so. Since my sister has returned home, Mom no longer wants to play Bridge or bingo or go to the dining room to eat. And talking with her on the phone is extremely challenging. My sister took this photo during while she was in Lexington. Mom looks good but kind of wild eyed; she is on the left.
Hoping to go visit in April. Thank you for the sweet words, good thoughts and prayers you have extended my mom.
Your Turn
What things would top your gratitude list for February? Sometimes, it is the little things on a really tough day that mean the most to me. Sunshine. Or rain. Being able to spend the whole day at home with the kitties. Hugs from my grands. I just scrolled up to look at my list again. Funny how almost all of my gratefuls are free…not something you can purchase. That makes me…well, thankful, too!!
The count down to our weekend getaway has begun. I haven’t gotten out the suitcases because that upsets the kitties. But I have begun setting aside the clothes I want to take. Isn’t the anticipation of a trip or a special activity almost palatable?
Thank you for popping in today. PC has the hot tub heating so I am off to get my bathing suit on. Talk to you later!
Hugs and kisses,
Nancy
What a sad news about your mother. I hope she gets a bit better with time. Which one of these fantastic ladies is your mother Leslie?
Joanne
I am so sorry to hear about your mom but I’m glad they finally figured out what the problem was. I felt like February has been a tough month for us as well but I definitely find joy in the little things like bowling and roller skating with my boys and their friends, shopping & dinner with my husband, etc.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I was so hopeful when the new year started that 2020 would be gentler, but it isn’t getting off that way. Maybe with this new month, things will look brighter. I know you all were sick and had to postpone your vacation. Hope everyone is feeling better now. We are glad to have a diagnosis for mom, you are right. Now just hoping she can regain what she lost with the stroke.
Kellyann Rohr
So many things to be grateful for – but especially your mom. I love that she was so insistent about not feeling well and that her insistence led to a diagnosis. My MIL has Alzheimer’s and it is so hard to know what is going on. It’s heartbreaking!
Kudos for surviving the 4th grade sub job!
xo,
Kellyann
Dara
I need to update my gratitude journal. I’m sorry to hear about your mom. It must be very difficult.
Juhli
My heart aches for you, your Mom and everyone else who loves her. Hugs.
Deb
Oh Leslie, I can so relate to your news about your mum, it is horrible to see such a sharp decline. I can understand how sad you must be feeling. It’s therapeutic to cry though, there is no good to be had by bottling up emotions. I know you have your PC to look after you, but take care of yourself too.
Concentrate hard on those other gratitudes that you have with the younger generation x
Rebecca Jo Vincent
Oh friend… I am so sorry.That is so much on your plate. & I’m also so aggravated that she knew something was wrong & they kept sending her home or dismissing her feelings. So frustrating!!!! We’ll just keep praying she gets more to herself as the days go on. HUGS TO YOU!!!!
Liberty
Hello,
I saw you at Away From the Blue and decided to visit. I’m so sorry about your mom but glad you have the right diagnosis. And HOW do you get these hearts to fall across your page?! So cute!!
Liberty from B4andAfters.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much for visiting. I will return the favor. Ha! Thank you for asking about the hearts that were falling on my page for Valentine’s Day when you visited. It is done with a widget called Weather Effect. I had snowflakes earlier, then hearts and for now, I have green leaves with the promise of spring!! Please come by again.
Amy Johnson
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. It’s so difficult watching our parents grow old and change. It was hard for me to watch my big, strong father become frail and sick and eventually pass. But, it is the circle of life, something everyone has to go through. Prayers!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Amy. It is the circle of life, watching our parents (and ourselves) grow older and more feeble. I plan to go see mom next month. Hope we can have a really good visit.
Iris
So sad to read about your Mother. I’m always concerned the ‘tests’ don’t show everything and they say there’s a golden hour with a stroke. Praying she will recover some of what seems lost.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Iris, for coming by and leaving your sweet comment. I am planning to visit my mom next month. Hope we can enjoy a wonderful visit and spend some precious moments together. I think we dropped the ball…or the medical professionals did, on my mom’s stroke. So sad.